Former gynecologist Robert Hadden, MD, who has been accused of sexually abusing several patients over the course of about 25 years, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to a July 25 news release from the Justice Department.
Dr. Hadden was formerly employed by Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. He was indicted on charges related to cases in which four patients traveled between states for their gynecological appointments and were sexually abused. Prosecutors alleged in the 2020 indictment that Dr. Hadden assaulted "dozens of female patients, including multiple minors" between 1993 and 2012, CBS News reported.
The trial includes viable evidence relating to 40 victims; however, a U.S. probation office pre-sentence report estimated the total number of potential victims as "at least approximately 245," CBS News reported.
In addition to 20 years in prison, Dr. Hadden must face a lifetime of supervision after his release. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $400 special assessment fee, according to the Justice Department.
A spokesperson for Columbia University's Irving Medical Center said in a statement to CBS News that the hospital "is profoundly sorry for the pain that Robert Hadden's patients suffered and his exploitation of their trust."